Start Date

In September of 1794, a group of ten monks from the Valaam Monastery in Russia arrived on Kodiak Island, Alaska to begin what would become one of the greatest missionary endeavors in the history of Orthodox Christianity. This year is the 225th anniversary of that mission to North America, and St. Vladimir’s Seminary is co-sponsoring a special event with Mother of God Orthodox Church, Princeton, NJ to mark the occasion.

225th Anniversary Celebration

The anniversary celebration May 11 and 12 includes services, speakers, and a banquet. The celebration culminates with Divine Liturgy Sunday morning at Mother of God Church concelebrated by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon and His Eminence Archbishop Michael, followed by a banquet at the historic Nassau Inn in Princeton featuring St. Vladimir’s Seminary Professor Emeritus Dr. Paul Meyendorff as guest speaker. See below for the full schedule of events.

All events of the 225th Anniversary Celebration are free and open to the public, with the exception of the Sunday banquet. Banquet reservations are $55 per person. Attendees have a choice of Chicken Saltimbocca, Grilled Atlantic Salmon, or Penne Primavera. To reserve seats and indicate choice of meal, contact Teresa Filippini.

225th Anniversary Celebration Schedule
Saturday, May 11 (at Mother of God Orthodox Church)

  • 10 a.m. – Akathist to All Saints of North America
  • 11 a.m. – Welcome by Archbishop Michael, Address by Archpriest Chad Hatfield
  • 12:30 p.m. – Lunch
  • 2 p.m. – Address by Metropolitan Tikhon
  • 3 p.m. – Response to presentation by Jim Winkler  
  • 3:30 p.m. – Q&A
  • 5 p.m. – Vespers
  • 6 p.m. – Reception

Sunday, May 12 (at Mother of God Orthodox Church; Banquet to be held at Nassau Inn 10 Palmer Square Princeton, NJ 08542)

  • 9:30 a.m. – Greeting of Metropolitan Tikhon, Vesting, and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
  • 1:30 p.m. – Banquet featuring Guest Speaker Dr. Paul Meyendorff

Download the flyer.